decline
Definitions
To become smaller, weaker, or worse
下降，衰退，变差
To politely refuse an offer or invitation
婉拒，谢绝
A gradual decrease or deterioration
下降，衰退
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedde- (down) + clīnāre (lean) = 'lean downward.' The downward lean became two meanings: things that 'lean down' decrease (sales decline, health declines), and to decline an offer is to lean away from it — a polite turning-aside rather than a flat refusal.
Root clin still carries 13 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.decline in sales销售额下降
- 2.decline to comment拒绝评论
- 3.decline an offer拒绝提议
Example Sentences
- 1.
Sales declined sharply during the second half of the year.
- 2.
He politely declined the invitation to the gala.
- 3.
The empire fell into a slow decline over two centuries.
- 4.
She declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.
Easily Confused
decline vs refuse vs reject — All can mean 'say no,' but decline is the most polite and formal (decline an invitation). refuse is firmer, can sound stubborn (refuse to leave). reject is the bluntest, often about quality or eligibility (reject the proposal). For the 'decrease' sense, decline ≈ decrease/drop, but decline often implies a longer, gradual trend.